Trip into Karamoja

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tourble or hardship or persection or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? - Romans 8:35

For three days Jess, Bev, and myself took a team into the heart of Karamoja to visit outcasts of Ugandan tribes, the Karamajong.

Background
This tribe is unlike any other people group I've ever encountered while here in Uganda and their culture is just fascinating. They are a pastoral society where their wealth is primarily in their cattle. Throughout the area they live in their little family groups in huts surrounded by fences to keep away enemy warriors who try to steal their livestock or women. The men typically wear brightly colored sheets that they have tied around them while wearing awesome little hats and carrying a stick they use to herd their cows or goats. The women wear knee-length plaid skirts and tank tops with a sheet tied around them kind of like a cape with brightly colored beaded necklaces adorning their necks. Along with their clothing, their dancing is quite different, they dance by jumping up and down (if you're familiar with the Mossai from Kenya - they're relatives to Karamajong).

While these people are welcoming to us as visitors they face MANY struggles and even though I am surrounded by poverty on a daily basis, the situation of these people breaks my heart in a whole new way and gives me a whole new sense of helplessness. For the past three years they have suffered from a severe drought and famine and the people are dying of starvation. It's simple: no rain, no food. Many NGO (Non-government organizations) are stationed there but provide little, if any, actual help to the people of the Moroto area. They are desperate for help and will seek it in any way they can, and that's why we went to visit them.

Day 1
Our team of 10 left in the wee hours of the morning to embark upon an 8 hour drive to go just over 200 miles. The roads to get to the town of Moroto are famous for how terrible they are as there are several times you might do well to have a mouth guard and helmet as you traverse the bumpy road. At one point on our drive, we even saw a food/cooking oil distribution taking place to one of the villages. When we finally arrived, we went to the home of our contact, Noah, who is a Karamajong who went through the School of Ministry here in Jinja. WE were able to enjoy a good local lunch and then we headed to speak with about 30 individuals who either had HIV/AIDS or are the children of one who has died from it. They were able to hear the Gospel and solid teaching from Jess, Jim (Jess's twin brother) and Doug (the Pastor from Jim's church). After the teaching they sang several heart-wrenching songs about the suffering of the Karamajong and specifically those with AIDS. I was able to spend some time talking with some ladies about how their job as mothers is to raise their children to know Jesus so they can be with them in heaven one day where there will be no more tears and no more suffering. After that whirlwind of emotions, we went to our guest house where we all stayed in little bungalows. We ended the night with dinner and I had some instant coffee (which believe it or not wasn't half bad).

Day 2
I will preface this by telling you that out of all the short-term trips I've been on, this would be one of the highlights of my mission trip experiences. We started the day by going to visit some ex-prisoners who are attempting to support themselves and their families by having a brick making business. While Jess and Bev were speaking to them and encouraging them in their walks, the rest of the team was doing a program for the kids who were around. As I was just standing and taking everything in, God really laid on my heart to speak with the women who were just sitting by the side not really a part of any of the other things going on. So I grabbed a translator (this little 4ft tall woman) and I was able to share with the women about how God knows their suffering, loves them and hears their prayers, and how He sent His son who experience hunger and suffering himself to die for them so they could be with Him forever. I concluded it by telling them that God is the one who gives rain, and praying for them is greater than any material thing I could ever give them. It was unreal standing there talking with them as they were gathered around in the shade of a little tree. After I had finished I just talked with them about their culture and had such an awesome time laughing and being humbled that God would allow me to have that opportunity. From There, we went to look at one of the small fenced in villages (a Kraal) where they must have a couple of layers of fences of thorns and sticks in order to keep out enemy warriors (who had just come the night before we were there).

After we had finished with that amazing exprience, we went to eat lunch at one of the local pastors houses and then were off to the prisons. It was awesome because we had an opportunity to teach and encourage them but then they did some worship in their own language and were jumping up and down dancing with such awesome joy. Throughout the day, we just continued to get blown away by what God was allowing us to be a part of. As we pulled up to a primary (elementary) school. It started pouring rain, a rain that they said they hadn't had since April. It was so awesome seeing God answer the prayers for rain in such a huge way! Through shouting over the loud sound of the rain on the tin roof (which we didn't mind) we had fun singing and dancing with the kids. I was even jumping up and down and my calves are hating me today, but it was worth it. All in all it was an absolutely amazing day and I was so amazed at the lessons God taught me and reminded me of.


Day 3
We went to one of the larges slums in all of Karamoja and heard songs from the kids and did some of our own songs. While the team was doing their thing for the younger kids, I was able to hang out with some of the older girls and talk with them, trying to emphasize that they shouldn't be trusting in anyone other than God to provide what they need (which I know in especially this case is easier said than done). It was cool just getting to talk to them as that age is who I spend most of my time ministering to in Jinja. From there we loaded up and began our 8 hour trek back to Jinja. I'm so glad I was able to have this opportunity, it was definitely one I will never forget.

A little soapbox
Seeing this kind of wide-spread suffering, leaves you feeling so unbelievably helpless as to how you can assist them materially. But through the rain, God taught me just how aware He is about the suffering and need of His people. I humbly ask you to pray for Uganda as a whole to no longer experience drought and famine, but specifically this area where they will know that it is God, not gods, who give them rain and that they would truly come to a saving relationship in Him, no longer seeking help from westerners but seeking Him and Him alone as He is the one who gives us living water.